RP Funding Center, Lakeland, which was known as Lakeland Civic Center for the past 20 years, got its new name the second week in May. Anthony Camarillo, GM, said that the switch is still taking place, temporary signage is up with permanent signage to come, which will take up to a year to complete.
The deal with RP Funding is for five years and will net the center $750,000 over the course of the agreement. “It’s a three-way deal between the center, Lakeland Magic and the mortgage company,” said Camarillo. Lakeland Magic, the D-League affiliate of Orlando Magic, will play their inaugural season in the building for the 2017-2018 season.
The center is also kicking off a $14-million renovation. Phase one will include new digital signage, a new locker room, new office space, new flooring, new basketball baskets and new infrastructure for television production.
Also new will be the debut of RP Funding Center’s Major Arena Soccer League indoor soccer team, Florida Tropics.
Phase two will include updating the meeting space and combining the two 25,000-sq.-ft. halls into one large hall with flex space.
It was a good year at the center. They beat their budget and reduced their subsidy by $500,000. “We managed our budget better this year,” said Camarillo.
The best selling shows were Broadway shows, like “Pippin,” and Camarillo said that cheer and dance events and Big Buck, an deer and turkey outdoor show, were also very well attended.
Tickets ranged from $20-$40 and patrons can buy the whole season of the Broadway series, five shows this year, for $235.
F&B is provided by Spectra, which Camarillo said “did very well this year.” Their focus is on catering and quality of the food offerings. “Our chef just won a local award,” he said.
Camarillo said the rest of 2017 is looking great. “We always have slow summers, but we really pick up in the fall,” he said. “The Lakeland Magic starts in October, along with the soccer team, and we expect that to really improve our numbers.”
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NEW TEAMS, NEW NAME
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